Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Gee.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Before I launched my eponymous fashion brand, Catherine Gee, I was in fine art running art galleries and art non-profits. Having grown up in a career fine artist’s studio, I learned how to draw and paint from a very young age. My father taught me the necessary skills to endure and succeed in a creative life path.
I launched Catherine Gee in 2015 in Santa Barbara as an all-silk womenswear line focused on the slip dress and travel-friendly core wardrobe styles. In 2016, I won the Emerging Designer Creme de la Creme competition at MAGIC trade show that was sponsored by WWD and Galeries Lafayette Paris, and since then, we have not slowed down! We are now stocked in over 200 stores across the US. In 2022, we opened a 2,400 sq foot store on State Street in Santa Barbara.
LA is a big part of the brand as our first factory, pattern maker, dye house, and fabric vendors are all located there. I’m a Virgo so the meticulous and steady focus and attention to detail have been critical in tying the success of the business. For eight years now, I cross off a daily to-do list and keep Moleskine journals of the years’ notes, buyers notes, observations, sketches, ideas, etc.
Fashion is a TOUGH business, and I believe that my perpetual drive and background in fine art enhance the brand. We have become known for our PRINTS. I keep detailed iPhone albums and journals of street art in Paris, photography and ideas as they come during travels and apply them to unique art prints that you don’t see in the marketplace.
I love what I do, and it is hard, but I know we’re building something that is extremely rare, different and highly desired in the marketplace.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Covid was a turning point for the better. There wasn’t a single day I didn’t go in Monday – Friday from March 16th, 2020 onward into the pandemic. During that first surreal week of lockdown, I went in and sat in my studio’s sofa armchair and really thought. I was deep into thinking bigger picture and ways we could help.
Within a month, we were making printed silk masks with a portion of sales going to the Santa Barbara Foodbank. Eventually, many a-list celebrities were photographed in them and when occupancy of openings started occurring, we had masks and stock to sell to our stores who needed product. We never gave up and went full-steam ahead. During this period, I also started designing really fun, vibrant art-centric prints.
The business thrived, and we’re continuing to grow in a steady, paced manner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a fashion designer/artist and CEO.
I design advanced contemporary womenswear and specialize in silk and art prints – printed silk blouses. I’m most proud of the fact that we have built a business on very unique, classic artistic prints on timeless silhouettes that sell extremely well and are coveted. We’ve built a great foundation on providing high-quality, beautiful clothing women come back for season after season. I consider myself a wardrobe builder.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never give up, and hard work is everything. Also- you win some, you lose some. Keep your head high and show up.
Pricing:
- Silk blouses $334
- Pima Cotton tees $88 – 116
- Denim $150 – 224
- Silk Slip Dresses $362 – 460
- Jacquard Jackets $370- 448
Contact Info:
- Website: catherinegee.com
- Instagram: @catherinegee
- Facebook: catherine gee
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18346940/admin/
Image Credits
Portrait photo by Erick Madrid Fashion photography by Hagop Kalaidjian
